On politics in the Golden State

California senator seeks investigations of abuse of disabled people

December 19, 2012 | 8:20
am

Concerned
about a wave of rapes in California facilities for the disabled and mentally
ill, state Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) has proposed mandating the immediate use
of kits to collect evidence when allegations of abuse are made.

Pavley
cited a report by California Watch that found 36 accusations of molestation and
rape of residents by caretakers in the last four years at California's state institutions
for the developmentally disabled.

But,
the senator said, the Office of Protective Services, which provided police
services at the five developmental centers, failed to order a single rape exam
during three of the four years.

"We
must put an end to the repeated sexual abuse of men and women with
developmental disabilities,” Pavley said. “Residents of large institutions,
like developmental centers and state hospitals, are particularly vulnerable
because of their isolation and reliance on staff.”

Pavley is drafting the proposal into a bill with the help of groups
including Disability Rights California, the Arc of California, United Cerebral
Palsy and the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

"We applaud Senator Pavley's leadership in introducing
legislation to protect men and women with developmental disabilities in these
institutions,” said Sandra
Henriquez, executive director of the coalition. "We
must mandate effective policies and protocols for vulnerable populations to
ensure all individuals are safe and free from sexual violence."